On The Surface | An OCTale Sequel

30) Emmaton's Show

12th February

"Hello and welcome to the 5 o' clock news. I'm your host Francis Smith." The announcer on the news reports, pushing his glasses up his nose like he always does every 5pm.

"There have been reports of a masked stranger buying things and selling them off to others for double the original price. Police are baffled, and no investigations have been made thus far..."

"For god's sake, Impact...Please don't get arrested again." I mumble, Guidea nodding along in worry.

"Who is this masked stranger you speak of? Is he as cool as me?" Impact suddenly flirts, teleporting onto the sofa. How he even knew we were talking about him I'll never know.

"Impact! Use the door next time!" Guidea screams, Impact flinching slightly. I guess he's no longer immune after Castellar trying to quieten down.

"Ok, ok. Hey, my ad's on in a minute.." He chuckles, Guidea sighing in disappointment and blushing slightly.

As he predicted, the weather report fades out to an advert. The style of the ad feels all too familiar...

"Four friends come together to work both individually and as a team, to build as big a cashpot as they can. Standing in the way are four rivals, equally determined in their goals to outquiz the contestants. In this battle of the brains, who will succeed? You will!" The voiceover sats dramatically, showing four silouetted figures, that slowly fade out to...Emmaton.

"That's right! You could be the first contestants on the new show: Royal Flush! You and three friends will pit your minds against the top trivia brains amongst monsterkind! For your chance to be on a show, call this number now!"
She cheers, dramatically showing off all the statistics on a sparkly whiteboard.

"See you later darlings!"

Guidea reaches for the remote, and turns the TV off. Impact looks at her for approval. Flowey frowns. He doesn't like watching the news or ads.

"So...this show...what was it-" She starts, as Impact interrupts, smiling.
"Royal Flush."

"Royal Flush, right." She continues.
"...It actually sounds kinda fun? Uh...who are these 'top trivia brains'?"

"Well, there's obviously me. Impact Aster, a trickster with a PhD in quantum physics! Then there's my dad, my mom, and my aunt Kristen." He lists off, counting them on his fingers.

"Wait, so you're all related? Talk about bias. Also, if we are doing this, Guidea, who else will be on our team?" I ask, Guidea listening intently.

"Oh, right... You, me, and Flowey only make three..." She muses, before being interrupted by Flowey.

"Hey! Who said I'm taking part?" He complains.

"Flowey, can you at least try to enjoy yourself for once? Anyway, why not invite your sister, Tyler?" Guidea continues, as I nod.

"Sure, she'll probably be free!"

****

14th February

"Four friends come together to work both individually and as a team, to build as big a cashpot as they can. Standing in the way are four rivals, equally determined in their goals to outquiz the contestants. In this battle of the brains, who will succeed? Let's find out on...Royal Flush!" Emmaton announces, striking a fabulous pose towards the camera.

"Let's give a warm welcome to our contestants today!" She cheers, as she reaches her sparkly green microphone towards me.

"Hey, I'm Tyler, I'm 13, and I'm the ambassador for monsterkind!"

"Greetings! I am Guidea. I'm 16, and, uh, I'm the monster's Princess I guess."

"Hi there, I'm Cynthia. I'm 18, and a taekwondo instructor!"

"Howdy, I'm Flowey! I guess I'm 16 too. Occupation, uh... flower."

"Alright! Now, as you folks at home know, these four are not alone! They will be faced by four rivals! Tyler, could you please step up to the podium first?" Emmaton asks, accidentally spreading glitter over my hoodie. I step over to a weird panel, and at the top, a chair is facing its back towards me.

"Now, will Tyler choose Impact, the trickster? Webdings, the mad scientist? Kristen, the schoolteacher? Or Chancery, the novellist?" She continues, still addressing the camera instead of me.

"Hmm..."

Webdings would be really hard for me to beat. But I kinda want to see Guid and Impact battle it out, too...

"Chancery!" I answer, and the respective person comes over to sit in the chair on top, waving at me and the audience.

"Hey Tyler! I hope you put up a fight. I want this battle to last!" She taunts, leaning over her desk. Suddenly, a panel rises up in front of me, with buttons similar to the style of a Kahoot quiz.

"Now, time for the cashbuilder! Let's see how much money you can rack up...now!"

Suddenly, I'm barraged by questions, all in a very short space of time. I'm able to answer a few correctly, but I run out of time just about as I'm ready to answer correctly for the 4th time.

"Ooh! Just out of time! £300! But, as you know, your rival can make a lower offer!" Emmaton explains cheerily, still hogging the camera.

"I'll offer... £100." Chancery replies, as I smile.

"But if you want to go higher, she would give you..."

"£1000."

"Have a chat with your team, Tyler!" Emmaton says to me, as I turn around to the team excitedly.

"I don't know Tyler...we need to get a Royal Flush, ok? Just take the middle offer and make it back here." Guidea replies calmly, the others nodding along with her.

"Take the £1000. Who cares?" Flowey smiles, as I frown, turning back towards Chancery.

"I'll stick with the £300!"

Timeskip because this might get repetitive after a while
****

"What a shocker! Our first ever contestants have gotten a Royal Flush! That means you all automatically win! Give it up for Tyler, Guidea, Cynthia, and Flowey!" Emmaton cheers, as rainbiw confetti and glitter rain down apon us. I grab Guidea and jump up and down excitedly.

"We did it Guidea! We won!" I cheer.

"But what will we do with £2000?" Guidea laughs, picking up Flowey's pot.

"Whatever you want. I don't really want any." Cynthia comments, as the lights in the studio dim. Emmaton walks over, and passes Guidea the check.

"Here you go! Spend it to your hearts' content!" She smiles, and bids us goodbye.

****

"So...where to next?" Guidea asks, as Cynthia drives off, waving goodbye.

"Where ever we want!" I smile.